Azerbaijan's New Military Doctrine Does Not Exclude Use of Force against Armenia

From now on Azerbaijan is entitled to use all kinds of necessary measures, including military, to "liberate its occupied territories and restore its territorial integrity and sovereignty," according to Azerbaijan's new Military Doctrine adopted in the parliament by a majority of votes on June 9.

The document says that "Azerbaijan's defensive policy is committed to the norms and principles of international law and is aimed at a peaceful coexistence with all countries."

At the same time the new doctrine mentions that Azerbaijan is not going to unleash any war against any country except when it becomes a victim.

Further it mentions that any political, military, economic and other types of assistance that is provided to Armenia's and Karabakh's authorities and is "aimed at officially recognizing the results of forceful seizure shall be regarded as an action against Azerbaijan."

The document also says that the "occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia is a main factor that negatively affects Azerbaijan's national security."

"We became witnesses of the presentation of a perfect Military Doctrine during discussions at the Parliament", chief of press service of Defense Ministry, Lieutenant-Colonel Eldar Sabiroglu told Azerbaijani news agency APA.

Sabiroglu noted that duties of Azerbaijani Armed Forces, its activity directions in cases of whatsoever threats toward Azerbaijan had been determined in Military Doctrine exactly.

"Along with the name of enemy country, results of its aggressive policy and ways for elimination of these results were shown here as well. Embracing bilateral and multilateral cooperation principles of our Armed Forces, Military Doctrine attracts attention with some innovations and approaches. All these play a role of legal guarantee base for maintenance of our security. And it is one of the important issues for concrete activity during concrete moment," said Sabiroglu.